The week's top Personal Finance stories

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 Personal Finance stories from MarketWatch for the week of May 14-18:

Ten ways you can reduce your carbon emissions to help cool the planet

You really don't have an excuse anymore. It's never been easier to reduce your contribution to global warming, and you don't have to dig deep into your wallet to get started. Sure, shelling out for solar to power your home or trading in a traditional car for a hybrid will have a big impact, but there are plenty of ways to start small right now. And those reductions add up over time. See The Heat is On.

Groundswell builds in support of major health-care reform

It's been more than a dozen years since the nation's leaders last entertained the idea of guaranteeing a basic level of health insurance to all Americans. Drives for universal health care generally have happened in 12- to 15-year intervals since the 1930s, making the U.S. ripe for another attempt, public policy experts say. The most recent push occurred in 1993 when President Clinton proposed an ambitious plan that failed to gain political traction. A reprise may be on the way. See Vital Signs.

How to have that 'Big Talk' about the financial facts of life

For many parents, talking about money with their teenagers begins and ends with "How much do you need?" Of course, the financial facts of life are more complicated and, like that other Big Talk, the sooner you and your kids have it, the better. See Life Savings.

The 10 myths Wall Street employs in its war on Main Street

Borrowing a line from Winston Churchill, you could say Wall Street's a "riddle inside a mystery wrapped in an enigma." Wall Street is so complex and hidden beneath so many layers of secrecy that myth often seems the only way to understand it. See Paul B. Farrell.

From big-ticket zip lines and climbing boulders to simpler gestures like a butterfly garden, kid-friendly yards are moving beyond the basic swing set to bring nature and adventure right up to the back door. Choices of plants, materials and play equipment today include more natural features and downplay or disguise manufactured items to encourage creativity, scientific exploration and an appreciation for the environment. Natural choices also keep kid spaces from overwhelming a yard equally enjoyed by adults. These design options can be adapted to a variety of lot sizes. And they can be easier on the budget than large play sets that, while still quite popular, are often used for a short period as kids grow and interests change, say landscape designers and garden experts. See Real Estate.

Wed lavishly for less

On a recent Saturday, Iram Weiser searched for a lace gown -- not too poufy -- to look perfect for her upcoming wedding reception. The 32-year-old economist and her husband are renewing their vows. Weiser said she is looking forward to an upscale celebration, but she's also ready to save a few dollars. So she traveled from Boston to check out Michael's, a Manhattan consignment shop that offers designer gowns for a fraction of the original retail price. See full story.

Fund managers expect bear to growl, not bite

While stocks may still have room to run, several top mutual-fund managers say they're preparing for a market slowdown but aren't bracing for lows seen in 2002. See Mutual Understanding.

Wealthy aren't attaching many strings to inheritances

Only 30% of high-net-worth individuals leave instructions that dictate how their heirs may receive inheritances. Incentives in a trust or will can be motivators for beneficiaries to follow the giver's wishes but only a minority incorporate any such language into their estate planning documents, according to PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh. See Sophisticated Investor.

Convertible bond funds ride stocks' run

What you get with VIP status at theme parks

For all the joys of a family outing at an amusement park, the pitfalls can include nearly endless waits for rides, lousy seats for shows and the prospect of having too much to cram into one day. Unless, that is, you're willing to pay to get the VIP treatment. See Cranky Consumer.

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